1
as in setback
a change in status for the worse usually temporarily
the scandal caused the president to suffer a dramatic lapse in popularity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mistake
an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy
his slip of the tongue about the mayor's name was an unfortunate lapse
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in cessation
the stopping of a process or activity
wasn't bothered by the lapse of her membership at the health club
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to expire
to come to an end
the contract will lapse at the end of the year unless we renew
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lapse
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
30 June 2026
Earlier this year, Oakland closed two shelters in part because of lapses in state funding.
—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
29 June 2026
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
24 June 2026
Deadline reported that without a project close to pre-production in the next six months, Universal's Lego rights could lapse and head back to market.
—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for lapse
Noun
Even if Mahle accepted partial blame, the fact that the 85-pitch limit wasn’t effectively communicated to him was the latest lapse in a season that has been anything but buttoned up.
—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
30 June 2026
Earlier this year, Oakland closed two shelters in part because of lapses in state funding.
—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
29 June 2026
Verb
Congress is struggling to reauthorize this key government surveillance law that has not lapsed before in history.
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Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
24 June 2026
Deadline reported that without a project close to pre-production in the next six months, Universal's Lego rights could lapse and head back to market.
—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for lapse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lapse
Noun
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That is expected to be a setback to Hanwha Ocean, as the contract was estimated to be up to $100 billion over three decades, according to The Korea Times.
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Bryant Vincent’s team has teased in each of his first two years in Monroe, starting 3-1 last season before the roof caved in with eight straight setbacks.
Noun
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Despite the full lineup and passionate patriotic crowd in Seattle, Team USA looked uncomfortable from the start, fell behind early, made sloppy mistakes and could not keep up with the Belgians, who move on to face Spain in the quarterfinals.
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The scribe carefully inscribed each line with a quill made from a goose feather, while their other hand wielded an erasing knife used to sharpen the quill and scrape away any mistakes.
Noun
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Freight rates rose rapidly in May as carriers added more fuel surcharges and general rate increases amid the war in Iran and near-cessation of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
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Now its people should rise up and demand a cessation of cruelty that threatens to paint another stain of shame on the legacy of this great nation.
Verb
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Unlike the federal tax credits that expired in September, these incentives offer an instant discount and don’t require buyers to apply for credit later.
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After that agreement expires, the government and Estrada may extend that on an annual basis.
Noun
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Suffering a reversal of fortune, Watson Taylor turned out to be unable to pay for the commission and sold the work in 1821 through Phillips auction house.
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The market experienced a reversal session, with AI leaders and data center infrastructure buildout stocks falling while software and the hyperscalers rebounded.
Noun
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Third baseman Ryan McMahon also committed a throwing error, New York's 19th in its last 14 games.
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England is hoping karma is on its side after a famous goal-scoring error sealed a World Cup loss to Argentina 40 years ago at Azteca Stadium.
Noun
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Gulf primary bond issuance came to an abrupt halt in the wake of the conflict, with corporate and sovereign bond yields jumping as geopolitical tensions escalated.
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Wrangling my emotions became the difference between sputtering to a halt and moving forward.
Verb
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Despite an energized crowd, the US fell short against Belgium 4-1, ending a wild run for the host country.
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Romelu Lukaku scored the fourth goal just at the end of stoppage time, and ending the USMNT’s dreams.
Cite this Entry
“Lapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lapse. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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